Oil burner



Bec. 9, 194i.

Filed Jan. 12,l 1940 2 sheetsheet 2` Patented Dec. 9, 1941 STT 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a device adapted to burn heavy liquid hydrocarbon fuels, such as crude oil, distillate, crank case drainings, and the like, for the generation of heat in stoves of various types, furnaces, and analogous units, and has as an object to provide an improved burner of marked simplicity, low cost, and maximum adaptability.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved oil burner susceptible of simple and convenient installation and efficient operation in conventional heating units originally designed for operation with other fuels.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved oil burner susceptible of convenient incorporation with and as an integral part of the conventional re box of typical heating units.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved oil burner of simple, inexpensive construction which is susceptible of efficient regulation and control through a single conventional valve.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved oil burner requiring relatively little maintenance to preserve its operating efficiency.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved oil burner which is economical in the production of heat from low priced fuel, durable and long lived in use, free from control means and regulatory devices requiring delicate and frequent adjustment, and susceptible of development in a wide variety of sizes and capacities to meet given requirements.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in

wliichl Figure 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the improved burner as assembled and connected for practical use. Figure 2 is a plan view of the burner base portion shown in Figure 1. Y Figure 3 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken axially of the improved burner on substantially the line 3-3 of Figure l. Figure 4 is a fragmentary, detail section of the complete burner assembly taken on the indicated line 4-li of Figure 2. Figure 5 is a side elevation of an .alternative embodiment of the improved burner las Vassembled and connected for practical use.

rangement shown in Figure 5 with the dome member thereof removed. Figure 8 is a vertical section through the fire box of a typical heater wherewith the burner construction shown in Fgure 5 is permanently associated to form a complete oil-stove unit.

The various elements of the improved burner illustrated in Figures l to 4 are assembled relative to and supported by a base portion I0 which is in the form of an annular trough formed of suitable rigid, heat-resistant material, such as metal, to provide an annular trough defined between an outer, upstanding circular Wall II anda concentric inner, upstanding, circular wall I2, which walls are interconnected by a web I3, preferably arcuate in section radially of the unit, to provide a curved trough bottom. The area circumscribed by the wall I2 is open, and the width of the trough between the walls l I and I2 is preferably equal to about one-half the diameter of the open area defined by the wall I2. Free margins of the walls II and I2 are preferably substantially parallel, and the upper margin of the wall I2 preferably terminates in a plane somewhat below the plane containing the free margin of the Wall II.

A fuel line I4 is disposed with one end portion axially of the base I and in communication with a suitable tting I5 positioned adjacent the plane of the upper margin of the Wall I2, and a plurality of feed tubes I6, in this instance four in number, communicate through the fitting I5 with the line I4 and extend radially and in uniformly spaced relation from said fitting to sealed relation through upper portions of the Wall I2 for delivery of liquid fuel fed through the line I4 to the annular trough of the base I0. The fuel line I4 lea-ds through a suitable valve Il, of conventional type, to asource of liquid fuel supply, such as an elevated tank I8 wherefrom the liquid fuel may feed by gravity through said line and tubes I6 to the annular trough of the base I0, though it is to be understood that any fuel supply and feed system operable to maintain a flow of fuel through the line I and tubes I6 may be substituted for the elevated tank illustrated without in any Way departing from the principles of the instant invention. For the actual discharge of the .fuel from the tubes iii to the annular trough, a jet-type fitting i9 is provided in removable relation with the outer end of each of said tubes, said ttings being merely tubular extensions of the tubes which threadediy engage at their inner ends with outer ends of the tubes in a manner which permits of convenient removal and replacement of the fittings I9 While supporting said fittings as radial extensions projecting somewhat within the annular trough. Y I

To properly direct air flow through the open central portion of the burner base for eiiicient combustion and to concentrate heat from the jets in a manner to convert the liquid fuel to gaseous form during its passage through the tubes I6, a hollow, metallic dome 2l] is removably associated with and positioned in spaced relation above the central portion of the base Il). The dome 20 is formed with a spherical recess 2i which intersects the plane base of the dome unit in a diameter somewhat greater than the maximum diameter of the trough wall I2, and suitable bracket arms 22 are fixed at uniformlyspaced intervals to the lower margin of the dome unit and extend radially inwardly therefrom to terminate in hooked ends adapted to engage over said trough wall I2 to position the dome unit in axial alignment with the base II) and with th'e lower margin of said dome unit spaced radially outwardly and vertically somewhat above the upper margin of said inner trough wall, so that air rising through the open central portion of the base I is directed by the spherical recess 2| to discharge through the annular space defined between the lower circular margin of said recess and the upper margin of the wall l2 and thence into the annular trough of the base member. The exterior periphery of the dome unit 20 is curved upwardly and outwardly from a lower point in substantial vertical alignment with the tips of the fittings I9, thus forming a relatively heavy metallic rim about the dome unit 20, which rim cooperates with the outer wall of the base member Ill to direct flame and air flow upwardly and outwardly of the annular trough. When the burner is operating, heat from the jets I9 impinges against the outer margin of the dome unit and rapidly heats the latter, so that a concentration of heat is had throughout the dome unit overlying the tubes IB sufficient to gasify the liquid fuel during its passage through said tubes for combustion as a gas as the fuel escapes through the jet fittings IS.

.The lower margin of the dome unit 20 is preferably positioned slightly below the plane of the upper margin of the outer trough wall II, so that all air flow had through the central portion of the base is directed downwardly through the annular trough rather than laterally across th'e upper margin thereofu When installed for practical use, the burner assembly above described is positioned and supported in the re pot or box of a conventional heating unit in any suitable or convenient manner to maintain the upper plane of the base member II) in horizontal position and to permit air flow through the heating unit to have free access to the .open central portion of said base, the end of the feed line I4 communicating with the tube IS being consequently disposed in substantially vertical position. The feed line I4 is led outwardly through the heating unit to position the valve Il for convenient access exteriorly of said unit, and said feed line is continued to connection with a supply of liquid fuel arranged to feed said fuel, by gravity or other means, to the tubes IB when the valve Il is open. An overflow line 23 is sealed through the trough bottom i3 and terminates within said trough in a short stand pipe arranged to limit accumulation of fuel within said trough to a level below that of the upper margin of the wall I2, and said line 23 is led downwardly from the burner Vand outwardly of the heater unit to discharge in a suitable receptacle 24, or to waste, at a point remote from the heated sections of the burner. With th'e installation complete as above described, the valve I'I is opened to permit a flow of liquid fuel through the line I4, fitting I5, tubes I6, and jet fitting I9, for escape of such fuel into the annular trough. The flow is permitted to continue until said trough contains a considerable amount of liquid fuel, preferably less than would be necessary to overflow through the line 23, whereafter an igniter of readily combustible material, such as wadded paper, excelsior, or the like, is placed in the fuel collected in said trough and ignited to initiate combustion of said fuel, this initial combustion serving to moderately heat the elements of th'e burner and supply a llame of sufficient intensity to ignite liquid fuel escaping from the jets I9 when the valve Il is reopened. After the fuel supply in the trough has been consumed, the liquid fuel escaping from the jets I9 continues to burn until the temperature of the burner vparts and dome 20 is raised sufficiently to vaporize the fuel fed through the tubes I6, whereafter maximum operative eiciency of the burner is had through combustion of the escaping gas as regulated in amount through adjustment of the valve Il.

Maintenance of the improved burner is exceedingly simple and consists solely in an occasional removal of ash deposits collected in the trough of the base Ii), which is readily accomplished by lifting away the dome 2G to expose said trough for cleaning purposes, and for the removal of carbon deposits which collect slowly in obstructing relation with the bores of the jet fittings I9, said fittings being made readily removable to facilitate cleaning of such deposits from their bores. The single control valve Il is adequate for all adjustment and regulation of the burner and provides a simple and convenient control operable under all conditions to regulate and adjust the burner operation. The overflow line 23 is rarely required, but serves to vguard against overflow of the base trough and consequent ooding of the heater when the valve Il inadvertently remains open after combustion at the heater is arrested. While the improved burner is illustrated with but four tube and jet assemblies, it is to be understood that the number of such assemblies may be varied to fit the requirements of a given burner size or installation, as may be desired, so long as said assemblies are of uniform length and radiate from a common, centrally-disposed, fitting communicating with the supply line.

The improved burner is particularly well adapted for installation in grate-type heaters designed for the burning of coal, wood, and similar fuels, since the base II] may be seated directly on the grate bars of such heaters and be then immediately ready for use when the necessary fuel supply and overflow line connections are made. Due to the absence of minute jet orifices, metering pins, and the like, the improved burner is particularly available for the combustion of unrened fuels, crank case drainings, and similar low cost liquid hydrocarbons, and hence provides an inexpensive unit susceptible of economical operation.

The alternative burner construction and arrangement shown in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, is in all operative essentials substantially the same as that hereabove described, and differs from the disclosure of Figures l to 4 only in that the alternative construction includes a generating unit assembly interposed between the base portion I0, or the equivalent, and the removable dome 29, which generating unit carries the fuel jets and supply connections. The alternative construction as illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7, includes the base member I in the fonm of an annular trough whereof the inner wall I2 is extended upwardly above the limiting plane of its outer wall II to form a cylindrical throat I2', said trough being provided with the overow line 23 in the manner and for the purpose hereabove set forth.

The generating unit assembly employed in the alternative construction 'is designated generally by the numeral 24, and is illustrated as comprising a tubular, metallic, body portion or sleeve 25 adapted to seat on and form a coaxial upward extension of the throat I2. Any suitable means, such as a depending inner sleeve or offset 26, may be employed to removably position and maintain the unit 24 in the desired relationship with the throat I2'. The fuel supply arrangement comprising the line I4, fitting I5, tubes I6, and jets I9, is associated with the upper end of the sleeve 25 in a manner identical with that set forth hereabove for association of said elements with the trough wall I2, thus positioning the jets I9 for discharge of fuel radially o-f and outwardly beyond the upper end of the sleeve 25, radial plate baffles 2l being vertically fixed to the outer wall of the sleeve 25 between and in separating relation with adjacent jets I9 to isolate each of such jets in identical bays or open-walled compartments, the bales 21 having a radial extension substantially equal to that of the trough IIJ. The upper end of the sleeve 25 removably supports the dome 29 which is thus positioned relative to and for operative association with the jet assembly in a manner identical with that previously described.

The inclusion of the generator unit assembly 24 with the other elements of the improved burner is of advantage in facilitating initial vaporization of the liquid fuel fed to the jets I9, and the baffles 21 function to minimize air currents and eddies which might otherwise adversely affect the concentration of heat necessary to initiate and maintain fuel vaporization, and also act to steady the air flow to and about each of the jets in a manner which enhances regular and emcient combustion.

Figure 8 illustrates a further modification of the improved burner whereby the construction is readily adapted for integral incorporation with new stove construction. In this adaptation, the annular trough is dispensed with, and a circular plate 28 is formed with or permanently secured to lower margins of a typical fire box 29 to close and thoroughly seal the lower endk of said fire box with the exception of a central circular aperture fonmed in the plate 28. A sleeve 30 is sealed at its lower end to and rises from margins of the aperture in the plate 28 and extends upwardly and axially within the fire box 29 to form a seat whereon the generating unit 24 may be supported with its associated fuel supply and dome elements to function in the manner previously described, the angularly-related adjacent portions of the plate 28, fire box 29, and sleeve 30 cooperating to form an annular trough equivalent to the member I9 wherein liquid fuel may be collected and ignited for initial vaporization of liquid fuel fed to the jets I9. This latter construction facilitates incorporation of the improved burner with new stove manufacture, it being simple and convenient to form the elements 28, 29, and 3D as an integral unit by casting or molding for the production of a complete oil stove unit.

Since many changes, variations, and modifications in the specific form, construction, and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had without departing from the spirit of my invention, I wish to be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims rather than by any details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an oil burner having a horizontally-disposed base portion formed with an upwardlyopening, annular trough surrounding a central opening, a plurality of fuel jets projecting radially and outwardly through the upper margin of the inner trough wall and means for feeding liquid fuel to and through said jets, means effective as a consequence of initial combustion of fuel in said trough to gasify the liquid fuel at said jets and to direct air for combustion across and about said jets, said latter means comprising a metallic dome removably centered above said central opening in marginally-spaced, overhanging relation with the inner trough wall, a massive, solid rim on said dome positioned with its lower margin in closely-spaced adjacency above said jets, and an upwardly and outwardly curved exterior face on said rim disposed in the path of heat and flame from said trough, whereby heat of combustion is stored in said rim and concentrated adjacent said jets to vaporize the liquid fuel fed thereto.

2. In an oil burner having a horizontally-disposed base portion formed with an upwardlyopening, annular trough surrounding a central opening, a plurality of fuel jets projecting radially and outwardly through the upper margin of the inner trough wall and means for feeding liquid fuel to and through said jets, means effective as a consequence of initial combustion of fuel in said trough to gasify the liquid fuel at said jets and to direct air for combustion across and about said jets, said latter means comprising a metallic dome formed with a downwardlyopening, spherical recess adapted to overlie and obstruct the passage through said central opening, bracket arrms fixed to and in inwardly-extending, radial relation with the lower margin of said dome for engagement of their inner ends with the upper margin of the inner trough wall to removably support said dome in concentric relation with said base portion and in upwardlyspaced, radially-overhanging relation of the dome recess periphery with said inner trough wall, thereby defining an air passage between said dome periphery and inner trough wall margin, a massive, solid rim on said dome in closely-spaced adjacency above said jets, and an upwardly and outwardly curved exterior face on said rim disposed in the path of heat and flame from said trough, whereby heat of combustion is stored in said rim and concentrated adjacent said jets to vaporize the liquid fuel fed thereto.

LUIGI PAIANO. 

